Record Low Temperatures on Long Island and in NYC

John MittyWednesday, January 8, 2014

The past few days have been shockingly cold for residents on the East Coast, particularly in Long Island and New York City. Temperatures reached 4 degrees Fahrenheit in Islip on Monday night leading into Tuesday morning. The previous low was 7 degrees, in 1986, recorded by the National Weather Service. The record for that particular night was recorded in 1988 at 13 degrees. In New York City, temperatures plunged even lower. The previous record in Central Park was 6 degrees in 1896. For the first time in more than a century, temperatures dropped below that, hitting 4 degree Fahrenheit on Tuesday. Record lows were also reported JFK (4 degrees) and LaGuardia (6 degrees).

Temperatures have increased since Tuesday. On Wednesday morning, they were up to the teens again. According to forecasters, New Yorkers and Long Islanders can expect temperatures as high as 22 degrees today. On Thursday, forecasters are predicting 34 degrees, a temperature which is practically balmy by comparison to these 4 and 6 degree lows recorded throughout the area. Meteorologists have blamed the recent cold on the polar vortex. The polar vortex refers to a low pressure system that tends to keep cold air centered on the Arctic regions. This low pressure system can sometimes move south of its usual location. When it does, it brings all that bitter Arctic air with it. The result is ultra-low temperatures where we least expect them, like on Long Islandand in NYC. With the vortex going back where it belongs, the temperatures should return to normal.

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